San Diego News

San Diego Agents Arrest Four and Confiscate almost $1 Million in Hard Narcotics

San Diego, California - U.S. Border Patrol agents made several drug-related arrests late last week. In a 24-hour period, four men were arrested for smuggling cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

The first incident occurred on Friday shortly before noon. Murrieta agents observed a Ford F-150 heading north on Interstate 15 and initiated a vehicle stop near Rainbow Valley Road. The 24-year-old U.S. citizen driver consented to a vehicle inspection and a nearby K-9 alerted to his truck. A search of the vehicle revealed a large bag filled with bundles of cocaine in the rear seat. The bundles weighed 61.62 pounds and have an estimated street value of $801,060.

Later that day, at approximately 3:30 p.m., a 26-year-old U.S. citizen driving a 1996 Chevrolet Beretta arrived at the I-5 checkpoint near San Clemente. The man and his 27-year-old Mexican national passenger were referred to secondary inspection. Once in secondary, a K-9 alerted to the car. A subsequent search by agents revealed three bags of heroin hidden behind the dashboard and one bag hidden behind a rear-quarter panel. The narcotics weighed 5.51 pounds and are worth an estimated $66,120.

The third incident occurred late Saturday morning, when a 22-year-old U.S. citizen driving a 1999 Mercedes Benz arrived at the Pine Valley checkpoint on I-8. A nearby K-9 alerted and agents searched the man’s car. After observing anomalies under the hood, agents removed the intake manifold and found 12.87 pounds of methamphetamine inside an aluminum cylinder. The narcotics are valued at $128,700.

All four subjects face federal drug smuggling charges. The vehicles were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.